System Reborn Novels & Stories

> [FINAL ROUND UNLOCKED: REWRITE OR DIE] > [PLAYERS: WILLA ROANE, CORVIN THORNE, SELECTED ALLIES] > [PRIZE: SYSTEM REBIRTH OR TOTAL ERASURE] The last words pulsed in time with the void’s tremors. Rebirth. Or nothing. The pen throbbed once more in my hand, the void answering with a matching shiver, as if the whole system took a breath on our cue instead of the other way around. “Nice, simple stakes,” Jax said weakly. “No pressure.” The Admin’s avatar flickered one last time, split halfway between its old, cold mask and something glitchier, less sure.

I am merely preserving a functional anchor. "Phoenix, the servers are screaming," Ryan’s voice cut through the ozone-heavy air. He stood at the entrance, his bio-synthetic face twitching under the strain of the erratic pulses. The Watchers’ "System Reset" had left our hardware lobotomized, yet the cooling fans were suddenly spinning at terminal velocity—a rhythmic, mechanical shriek that vibrated in my teeth. "I didn't authorize a reboot," I rasped, my throat feeling like it had been scoured with shards of flint.

“The Siren known as Daria will lose her memory of today’s events, including that the werewolf known as Iris has been reborn. Iris will be informed of this day’s events. She is currently asleep in the arms of Alpha Titan.” Selene nods, closing her eyes and disappearing. “You will be returned to the packhouse and will be asleep. When you awaken you will have no memory of this,” Zeus tells Daria. “My final warning is to you, my brother. Either play by the rules, or you will never play the game again.” With a wave of Zeus’s hand Daria disappears. “You are going to let that goddess win?” Poseidon asks. “If she loses, it will be fair. You don’t want a tainted win now do you?” Zeus asks.

I cut a slice of the strawberry cake while Arabella went on and on about the blueprint for the future. Out of nowhere, a long-absent voice boomed in my head. “It’s been a while, Player.” Arabella caught my split-second hesitation. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing. Something just came to mind. You should mingle with the guests. I’ll be there in a bit.” Once she was far, I answered in my mind, “System? Why are you back?” “I came to say goodbye.” The System’s voice sounded a lot more grounded than before. “Headquarters adopted your suggestion, and we are running a comprehensive upgrade. The assigned targets are no longer limited to main characters in future missions. Players will be free to make their

“Wow, Lissy, was that your family’s driver who dropped you off again? That was a Rolls-Royce.” I stood in the corner of the classroom, staring at everything in disbelief. Only then did I realize I had been reborn. “No, that was my dad,” Lisa Hale said with a small smile. “Not our driver.” The classroom erupted. “Oh my God, your dad is so good to you. He’s that busy and still drives you to school himself?” Lisa smiled and accepted their envy without correcting a word. But I knew she was lying. Every single word. The pain from my last life was still burned into me. I looked at her, and all I felt was hatred.

I asked in despair as I rubbed the space between my brows but all I could hear was my own voice. How was I sure I wasn't even hallucinating and that I wasn't losing my mind? If I told this to anyone, they would probably lock me up in the asylum for mental assessment. I decided to leave the plant when suddenly, I heard a soft “ding” and the blue screen lit back up, making me blink in confusion. On it was a bold “SYSTEM REBOOT COMPLETE” written in blue and I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. “I am B.U.I.S. Your Build Up Intentional System.” Buis said in its usual robotic voice and once again, my fingers passed through the blue screen in front of me.

Could it be that the heavens heard me? So I'm not dead. Is this a second chance... To rewrite my mistakes?

Roxanne's POV Before I was reborn, I already knew that my time was limited. Once I resolved Stefano's regrets, I would return to my own world. The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself still at the bottom of the sea. All I could see was pitch-black darkness as seawater flooded my nose. People all around were shouting my name, and the onlookers on the shore weren't indifferent either. They were all reaching out and straining in my direction.

He must be furious! [Feels good! The spot's finally back where it belongs. First step in crushing that impostor's dream!] [Nice one, Horace! Dump the trashy troublemaker girl, go to the same university as the female lead, and take back everything that belongs to you. That's the real heir storyline!] I didn't say a word. Horace let out a deep breath, as if he was finally releasing all the frustration he had carried since being reborn. "Brian, I'm really sorry about this, but this admission spot was always supposed to be mine. Getting back what belongs to me feels pretty damn good. Without a top university on your record… What do you think you'll ever amount to?"

People looked like people instead of processes. And I felt something that might have been a relief, though I wasn't quite sure how to process the emotion anymore. "Is it done?" Amon asked, kneeling beside me. "Did we actually do it?" "Modified State Resolution function is active and stable," I said. "Lenore will persist beyond Marionettist termination. Players may choose to return to original worlds or remain. Core systems are functioning independently." "In human terms, please." "We won. The game is rewritten. Everyone gets to choose their ending now."